A PETITION containing more than 370 names, opposing the development of a new football stadium, has been handed to the council.

As reported, Grimsby Town Football Club has teamed up with Simons Development Ltd to "investigate the viability" of using a 22.7-hectare plot of land off Peaks Parkway for a new stadium – which could also have community use – and a retail outlet.

The publicly-owned site sits between the Parkway and Weelsby Avenue. It is mainly green space, but also houses redundant council buildings and allotments, and is near to Oasis Academy Wintringham.

The petition – which included 379 names – was received at a North East Lincolnshire Cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon.

During the meeting, one of the petition organisers, Paula McAfee addressed the council.

The Weelsby Avenue resident said: "Weelsby Avenue and its side streets are residential areas largely removed from busy retail or industrial developments and together enjoy a semi-rural outlook provided by the retention of a restraint corridor and easy access to a country setting enjoyed by residents and non residents alike.

"Any development on this land will contribute to urban sprawl and ruin the desirable natural barrier zone between Grimsby and New Waltham.

"The proposed site in question encompasses three distinct fields, the allotments and a redundant council depot.

"The fields are in constant use for leisure purposes and the allotments have existed under a statutory classification for many decades.

"It is also next to a cemetery and crematorium which is in a packet of land given to people by a covenant of Lord Heneage specifically for its isolated nature and peaceful setting.

"The site also contains two areas of archaeological importance and has a diverse range of wildlife as outlined in previous feasibility studies which includes bats, crested newts, water voles, foxes and many birds which are entitled to legal protection.

As well as environmental issues, Mrs McAfee raised issues about the possibility of increased traffic.

She added: "Residents in the area are highly concerned about Weelsby Avenue becoming a main access route to a stadium and retail store which will entail around the clock traffic.

"The road itself already struggles to cope with school and crematorium traffic.

"Any retail store would be hugely unnecessary as there are already multiple supermarkets within a one or two mile radius of the proposed side.

"There is a concern for the nature of the area and the clear property devaluation that such a development will cause.

"How can the council justify the anxiety and distress caused to residents for a perceived profit?"

The council accepted the petition and will take it into consideration if plans to build a stadium go ahead.

Council leader Chris Shaw added: "At this time all we can do is make a note of the opposition. There has not been a decision made about it but when there is we will take the petition into consideration."

Comments

I really don't get what advantages building the stadium near Immingham, as some seem to be suggesting will help Grimsby in anyway. It will not help the economy as nobody will be attracted into the town centre and into local pubs and hotels. Also, how inconvenient will it be for people who don't drive to the game. People who walk/cycle will be discouraged from attending. Every time I travel down Peaks Parkway at the weekend it is fairly empty and the only time it is busy is Monday to Friday at rush hour. If you think that's bad traffic you need to leave Grimsby more often.

I love the fact that the people who don't want it are concerned about the amount of people who will come and the traffic chaos that it will bring but in the next breath say that no one supports Grimsby anymore so they don't need a new stadium.
Make your mind up.
A good football team is a great centre for any community and people have lost all pride in their local team and the area in general. There was a time when the local community got behind GTFC and is enriches the society we live in.
Some people will say that football brings the wrong type of people into the area but only a very small percentage of people at football matches are ever involved in any trouble.
A better stadium will bring more away fans and they will spend money in our local economy which can only be good for all.
Just get it built. 370 names is hardly a massive public outcry

I thought they wrere going to build nearer great coats and A180 which has a railway link and better road connections, Rather than build in a confine space were Peaks Parkway and Weelsby Avenue will not be able to cope with 3000 fooball fans out of a population of over 122000 in Grimsby & Cleethorpes. Also traffic issues and safety.

Town may be a 5th division club but has the support already of teams in higher divisions, you watch this increase when we have a stadium to be proud of. As for building on the A180 /docks etc these are not an option due to cost /access. There is no better place than this location meaning many can access by foot . The roads can easily cope , if you want to see traffic issues visit any other town in this country and see how easy we have it.it will be used as a stadium for a matter of hours a year so relax and for once let the town progress.

what a stupid place to put a football stadium, anyone travelling up or down peaks parkway to get into town or out to waltham on a saturday will know what I mean, the road basically goes nowere, its hard to get onto from the A180 and will force people to use back roads etc, in another 20 years time this area of the town will be built up just like other areas and we will have the same issues as we currently have at blundell park.
The club does need a new ground, but it should be on the outskits of town off the main route into Grimsby ie the A180, I dont see any reason why it should not be built further down the A180 so as not to cause all the issues around great coates as well. I for one would certainly go to more games and having another retail with the ground makes sense, who wants to get stuck in bad traffic around asda/sainsburys etc when you can just drive 3 miles down the A180, get easy parking etc.
But people be warned, this council has its own agenda, it doesn't matter about petitions or what people think, it will probably go to the scrutiny panel (hahaha) and blundell park will be called a dump and voted through, just another example of the muppets running the authority who dont listen to anyone, just like the Scartho baths issue.

Don't do it!
The only realistic place for a stadium and its retail development is ideally off the A180 with its suitable access.
Peaks Parkway and Weelsby Avenue will not be able to cope with 3000 fooball fans out of a population of over 122000 in Grimsby & Cleethorpes.
Wake up & smell the coffee.

I think that the need for a new stadium needs looking at. The case for a new one was highlighted and first muted when GT were in the old second division. Match attendance has, like the club, fallen and there is no sign of any considerable prolonged improvement. another retail park is not needed as there are ample already many of which contain empty buildings.